Movies: Bel Ami (R for nudity, graphic sexuality and brief profanity) Romance drama, set in Paris in the 1890s, about an ambitious young politician (Robert Pattinson) who rises to power by seducing the city’s wealthiest and most-influential women. With Uma Thurman, Christina Ricci and Kristin Scott Thomas. Comment

Food: Potatoes are the ultimate comfort food, but a few twists on classic side dishes like mashed potatoes, salads and casseroles can take potatoes to a whole new level. With so many delicious types available year-round, it’s easy to create exciting and nutritious side dishes that can be the highlight of any meal. Comment

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Viewpoints: Acknowledging that it acted without regard for an opposing view in rushing through a smoking ban in state parks, pools, beaches and historic sites, the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation has suspended the ban it announced in early April, its Associate Counsel Kathleen Martens telling NYC C.L.A.S.H. founder Audrey Silk that now “this season, nonsmoking will be on a voluntary basis.” Comment

Caribbean: All eyes are usually on the sprints through distance races in track and field meets whether the latter be in an interscholastic or intercollegiate competition. The same holds true for an invitational or open meet. Comment

It is important that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) repairs its image with the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the main participants of West Indies cricket, the cricketers themselves. Comment

Manhattan: Haile King Rubie, a Harlem based and Down Syndrome challenged artist celebrated his 22nd birthday on May 20 at the site of the permanent installation of his work “Welcome to Harlem” by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, in association with the Harlem River Park Task Force and Harlem Community Development Corporation. Comment

Jamaica: KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) — David Smith was a large-living and influential figure in Jamaica before courts in two countries knocked him down as a fraud artist. He splurged on luxury cars and mansions, flew in a Learjet and sponsored concerts and athletic events. Now court documents say he also was spreading his Ponzi-scheme wealth to the country’s politicians. Comment

Guyana: Deputy Mayor of Newark, New Jersey Margarita Muniz, under the auspices of Mayor Corey Booker - joined Guyanese in singing their National Anthem, before the ‘Golden Arrowhead”– Guyana’s flag - was hoisted above Newark City Hall to commemorate Guyana’s freedom from Great Britain on May 26, 1966. Comment

Health: Hardly a day goes by without the announcement of some new technological discovery. It is truly magnificent and mind-boggling to behold. We are lucky to be alive in such an age of advancement. If both the political and religious leaders of our world would think as clearly as its scientists, what a peaceful, happy and fulfilling world we might have. Comment

Sports: The U.S. men’s national played its best game so far under Jurgen Klinsmann and made one of its best showings in years to defeat Scotland, 5-1, last Saturday night in front of a record crowd of 44, 438 at Everbank Field in Jacksonville (Fl.). Comment

Monday, May 28, 2012

Brooklyn: From an early age, Tracy Johnson-Bomani had a passion for jewelry and combining accessories to make her outfits look great. As an adult, when she began getting phone calls from friends and family members asking what they should wear and what accessories would look best with the outfits, her husband suggested she make a career of it. Comments (1)

Africa: The First Lady of the West African nation of Niger, Dr. Malika Issoufou Mahamadou, last week visited SUNY Downstate Medical Center and University Hospital, as part of her United States itinerary. Comment

Music: Dancewave
Dancewave presents “Spring Celebration 2012” featuring a showcase of modern dance performed by Dancewave’s pre-professional youth dance companies ranging in age from 10-19 years at the Kumble Theater, LIU Brooklyn Campus, One University Plaza, Brooklyn, Friday and Saturday, June 1 and 2, 8:00 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.dancewave.org/spring celebration. Comment

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Jamaica: The curiosities of anxious Jamaicans anticipating a banner year for the island’s jubilee celebrations were pacified recently when the consulate released an official calendar listing activities planned for residents here. Comment

Saturday, May 26, 2012

People: We spend more time at work during a typical week than just about anywhere else—and if your office is like mine, that means you’re probably spending that time sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen. The only exercise most of us get is when we walk to the vending machine! Fact is, all of us are living increasingly sedentary lifestyles. Comment

Health: Let’s face it, growing old means lifestyle changes – for better or worse, in sickness and in health. But how we evolve with our bodies and how we manage new age-related changes, issues and diseases, like depression or dementia, is up to us. When you get right down to it, the only person with the power to respond to the physical and mental challenges of aging—is you yourself. And a positive attitude and firm determination to live life to the fullest is an important first step. Comment

Friday, May 25, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: More than 300 hospitality consultants, real estate developers and the biggest hotel investors in the Caribbean recently attended a two-day Caribbean Hotel and Resort Investment Summit in downtown Miami.
Participants focused on recent tourism trends in the Caribbean, which is rebounding despite the global economic downturn.
Demand for new hotel rooms is up, participants said, but they noted that securing financing remains difficult.
Currently there are 8,000 hotel rooms in the pipeline and of the five biggest hotel projects currently under construction two are in the Bahamas and two in the Dominican Republic. Comment

People: On Friday, June 1, parents, grandparents and caregivers of children with disabilities will have an opportunity to access resources and information in a free conference to take place at the Brooklyn Campus of Long Island University. Comment

Guyana: Guyana President Donald Ramator said that the International Monetary Fund, (IMF) and the World Bank have given Guyana high marks on its economy, at a time when the U.S. and Europe -- Guyana’s main trading partners, are in serious economic and political trouble. Comments (1)

Movies: Though ostensibly inspired by the Hasbro board game of the same name, Battleship is a special f/x-driven, sci-fi adventure that actually has much more in common with bombastic blockbusters like Armageddon (1998), Transformers (2007) and Independence Day (1996). To its credit, this variation on the theme does devote considerable attention to developing a back story before letting all hell break loose. Comment

New York: NEW YORK (AP) — NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James was the leading vote-getter for the league’s all-defensive squad Wednesday, while Defensive Player of the Year Tyson Chandler didn’t even crack the first team. Comment

Movies: 5 Broken Cameras (Unrated) Middle East documentary chronicling a family of Palestinian farmers’ non-violent protest against the Israeli government’s confiscating land in their tiny, West Bank town for the benefit of profit and politically-motivated, real estate developers. (In Hebrew and Arabic with subtitles) Comment

Arts & Theater: The Apollo Theater, one of the nation’s greatest cultural treasures will induct Lionel Richie and the late Etta James into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame during the seventh annual Spring Gala Benefit Concert. Comment

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Music: Fresh from the sold-out revival of their 2011 concert season production, Wheel and Come Again, the New York-based Braata Folk singers, under the artistic direction of Jamaican-born actor and singer Andrew Clarke, are turning their attention to their most prestigious assignment to date: representing Jamaica at the 8th World Choir Games to be held in Cincinnati Ohio from July 4 to 14. Comment

New York: Delta Air Lines announced plans on May 21 to launch new or expanded service to 10 destinations in the Caribbean and Bermuda from New York’s LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy International (JFK) airports, continuing its program of service expansion in New York. Comment

Suriname: Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and their Mexican counterpart, Felipe Calderon, ended their one-day summit in Barbados on May 21, deciding to collaborate on a range of issues, including tourism, transport, trade, investment and national security. Comment

Sports: The West Indies Women team triumphed in the recent Sri Lanka series in the Caribbean with the regional side winning the three-match ODI 2-1 and the five-match Twenty20 by 3-1 with the final match at the Queen’s Park Oval, Port of Spain rained out. Comment

Arts & Theater: Frank’s Cocktail Lounge has been host to some of New York City’s best theatre artists and writers with the “Write Night” series, which marks its third year with the theme “Be A Sport” on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. Comment

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Grenada: A large number of Grenadians turned out for a rally on May 20 to “give thanks and to celebrate the government’s defeat of an opposition no-confidence motion in Parliament,” according to a government release. Comment

Sports: Esmond Waldron played both soccer and tennis in his native land of Trinidad but he did not remain with the former sport when he arrived here in the United States. He stayed primarily with the net sport but would on occasion play soccer. Comment

Sports: Dane Richards got the better of his fellow Jamaican when he scored the winner against goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to help the New York Red Bulls (8-3-1, 25 pts.) beat expansion team and hosts Montreal Impact, 2-1, Saturday night at Olympic Stadium. Comment

New York: This is the time of the year when long distance runners are training hard and stepping up their mileage for the upcoming New York City Marathon this November. They are not only running in the streets and in various communities and parks, but they are also entering into numerous races on weekends. Comment

Arts & Theater: On Saturday, June 9, from 12 noon to sunset, the 23rd Annual Tribute to Our Ancestors of the Middle Passage will be held on the boardwalk at West 16th St. (Ancestors Circle) in Coney Island, Brooklyn, the site where some of the earliest slave ships once docked. Comments (1)

St Vincent: St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ United Nations Ambassador, Camillo Gonsalves, on the night of May 16 appealed to nationals in New York to contribute financially towards completion of the country’s first international airport. Comment

New York: On April 9, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation announced it was instituting a new policy that bans smoking within state parks, including beaches, playgrounds and pools. Comment

Monday, May 21, 2012

Benjamin Franklin, an American icon and one of the most respected of America’s founding fathers was, despite having only two years of formal schooling, a prolific inventor and scientific investigator. His inventions included the lightning rod, the “Franklin stove,” bifocal eyeglasses, the odometer, the “Glass Armonica” and the silk woven catheter. Comment

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Arts & Theater: The play “unFRAMED” returns to Manhattan for five performances in June as part of the solo NOVA Arts Festival at Off-Broadway’s New Ohio Theatre (154 Christopher Street, inside the landmark Archive Building). Performances begin Monday, June 4 and continue through Saturday, June 16. Comment

Movies: Chuck Davis’ DanceAfrica returns to the Brooklyn Academy of Music during the Memorial Day weekend with live dance presentations, a bazaar of African trinkets, cultural marketplace and an expanded lineup featuring relevant films. Comment

Health: About one in 88 children in the United States has autism or a related disorder, the highest estimate to date and one that is sure to revive a national argument over how the condition is diagnosed and treated. Comments (1)

Brooklyn: Nadege Fleurimond is celebrating her 10th anniversary in business as a caterer. It’s quite an accomplishment for the Columbia political science major, especially when you find out that Nadege is only 30 years old. Comment

Bronx: Healthfirst and the American Heart Association announce their partnership recently to present the American Heart Association Teaching Gardens Program at PS 55 in the South Bronx, N.Y. The educational initiative teaches children how to plant seeds, nurture growing plants, harvest produce and ultimately understand the value of good eating habits. Comment

Friday, May 18, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Caribbean
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) will host a gathering of culinary enthusiasts and experts as they converge to witness an all-out food and beverage battle between an assortment of chefs and bartenders from the Caribbean. The annual “Taste of the Caribbean” will be held at the Hyatt Regency, Miami from June 20-24 to crown the Caribbean cuisine masters. Comment

Brooklyn: Arts and Culture Fest, a production of The Creative Side, launched on Saturday, April 21, as a one-of-kind artisan market for artists and designers to sell their handmade goods to the Flatbush community. Comment

People: Vincentian Kenton Kirby has been tagged to speak at the bi-annual gathering of National Association of Caribbean-American Journalists on June 1 at the headquarters of the New York Times, 620 Eighth Ave. Comment

Bronx: Bronx residents are protesting the current New York City Department of Education (DOE) disciplinary polices that have moved children from school directly into the criminal justice system. Comment

Manhattan: More than 500 Project Sunshine friends and supporters gathered at the Hilton New York for the Ninth Annual Project Sunshine Benefit “Sunshine in the City” honoring Michael J. Dowling, president and CEO, North Shore-LIJ Health System on May 1. Comment

Viewpoints: The partisan squabbling over the killing of Osama bin Laden is a typical election-year distraction, effectively squelching discussion of more important matters one year after the execution of the al-Qaeda chief executive. Comment

Jamaica: WASHINGTON, May 8, 2012 - Jamaica’s fragile economic recovery would be dangerously hampered by demands by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other donors, according to a new report released here by the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR). Comment

Sports: The 45th Annual Glenn D. Loucks Memorial Track and Field Meet, the largest in the New York met area, for high school athletes drew entries from all over the Metropolitan area, mostly from New York State with more than 150. But one can not count out the 21 schools from Connecticut, four from Maine, 10 from Massachusetts, six from New Hampshire, five from New Jersey, six from Rhode Island, and 10 from as far north as Canada. Comment

Manhattan: The USA Swimming Foundation, in conjunction with Mayor Ernest D. Davis of Mount Vernon, N.Y., the Mount Vernon YMCA, and the Mount Vernon Department of Recreation, will hold “Make a Splash: Mount Vernon,” on Saturday, May 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Mount Vernon YMCA. Comment

New York: On the eve of expansion of a federal immigrant fingerprinting program, New York City Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has urged the federal government to halt expansion of the controversial plan that targets Caribbean and other illegal immigrant suspects. Comment

Guyana’s major opposition coalition has withdrawn a court case challenging a hefty pension package for Bharrat Jagdeo, to allow the Caribbean Community nation’s parliament the privilege of chopping the former president’s remuneration to a more reasonable sum; but the work of the opposition could be stymied in the long run if Jagdeo’s successor refuses to assent to the bill, making it law as is widely expected. Comment

Music: Two surviving members from a three-piece steel band which appeared in the 1954 Broadway musical House of Flowers will be among the special lineup of individuals being honored at a Tribute to New York Steel Band Pioneers organized by the Trinidad & Tobago Folk Arts Institute, Sunday evening May 20. The gala event will be held at Tropical Paradise Ballroom, Brooklyn from 6:00 to 11:00 p.m. Comment

Viewpoints: I am a guidance counselor at one of the 24 New York City schools unjustly slated for closure at the end of the school year. We are very frustrated with the censorship on this topic. There is only one perspective being perpetuated in the media on every channel except NY1. Newspaper articles are repeating the facts of the case from the perspective of the DOE. When mentioning the hundreds of thousands in opposition, the commentary stops at just that. “Teachers are upset” or “the UFT is upset” or “Students are protesting”, etc... Comment

Manhattan: Borough President Scott Stringer presented awards recently at the seventh annual Trailblazers Program and Award Ceremony of Manhattan that recognizes members of the community that have blazed a trail for others to follow. Comment

Manhattan: Former United Nations sustainability specialist, humanitarian and author, Muriel Glasgow, will be honored with the Ambassador of Peace Award for her selfless contribution to peace, human rights and development with NGOs and UNICEF. Comment

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Movies: Cuba is a country so close and yet so inaccessible to visit. Director Lucy Mulloy cracks the door quite a bit to give the filmgoer a view of life behind the wall that the U.S. government has erected by restricting travel to that island nation. Comment

Music: Artists Studio Tour
The 2012 Flatbush Artists Studio Tour will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, noon to 6:00 p.m. in Ditmas Park, and will feature artists welcoming visitors into their homes and studios showcasing their works ranging from acrylic and oil paintings, carved sculpture, drawings, mixed media, collages, and more. Victorian Flatbush is located a few blocks south of Prospect Park. For information, visit www.flatbushartists.org. Comment

Brooklyn: Jessie Lee is the director of Small Business Services, a program of Brooklyn-based CAMBA, a multi-service non-profit agency. The Business program offers free business training and counsel to the community. Comment

Monday, May 14, 2012

Viewpoints: Anyone who has witnessed the coal extraction process known as mountaintop removal (MTR) has been shocked. The name is perfectly descriptive—tops of mountains are blasted away and bulldozed into valleys to expose underlying coal seams that can be cheaply and efficiently extracted. MTR is violence and destruction on a scale we associate with war, not industrial activity. Comment

Movies: “The Avengers” is the sixth installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise launched in 2008 with “Iron Man,” and followed by “The Incredible Hulk,” “Iron Man 2,” “Thor” and “Captain America.” What makes this adventure unique is that it’s the first in the series to revolve around a team of comic book superheroes. Comment

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Jamaica: The Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) has granted special leave to 24-year-old Jamaican, Shanique Myrie, to begin proceedings against the Barbados government after she alleged she was sexually assaulted by a female immigration officer, insulted and then denied entry to Barbados on March 14 last year. Comment

Health: If you’re one of the estimated 25 million Americans who suffer from asthma, you know what it’s like to experience symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. To raise awareness and understanding of this serious and growing health problem, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation and Genentech have joined with the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to launch The Asthma Express, an educational awareness program to help bring allergic asthma to the forefront. Comment

Health: You may not realize it, but your lifestyle could be putting you at risk for common health problems that afflict women. National Women’s Health Week, observed May 13-19, is a great reminder to brush up on some facts that can help you stay healthy. Comment

People: The United Nations said on May 9 that 20 Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have announced new actions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and end poverty, as they wrapped up a sustainable energy conference in Barbados, organized by the U.N. and the Barbados government. Comment

People: The New York Association of Black Journalists paid tribute to the late Gil Noble on May 15 during their 24th annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. Comment

Sports: For talented local juniors hoping to become the next Roger Federer or Serena Williams, the road could begin at City Parks Foundation’s 26th Annual Reebok Junior Tennis Academy Tryouts on Saturday, May 19 at 3:00 p.m. at the USTA/ Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park. Comment

Friday, May 11, 2012

People: It’s no surprise that mothers make compromises every day. A recent survey of 1,000 American moms by Green Works naturally derived cleaners revealed that 57 percent admit to turning down bedroom time with their mate to clean the house. This number soars to 74 percent for new moms. Comment

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: NEW YORK, N.Y.-- The National Association of Caribbean-American Journalists will hold its third bi-annual meeting at The New York Times’ headquarters in New York City on May 31 and June 1, 2012. The theme is “Styling Caribbean Identities: Reclaiming the Past, Building the Future.” Comment

Sports: The New York Red Bulls scored a morale-boosting victory Saturday night when it defeated the high-powered offensive team and defending champion Los Angeles Galaxy, 1-0, at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Comment

Health: Researchers at Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, say 24 newly-discovered species of lizards known as skinks in the Caribbean are close to extinction. Comment

Music: Standouts from the world of new-age soca, such as Blaxx and Nadia Batson are blended with a lineup of seasoned veterans including Black Stalin, Sugar Aloes, Edwin Yearwood and Denyse Plummer for the 36th annual edition of the Mother’s Day show, on Saturday, May 12 at Brooklyn Center for Performing Arts, Brooklyn College, starting at 8:00 p.m. Comment

Sports: West Indies middle-order batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul has regained his No. 1 ranking for Test batsmen after being the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded home series against Australia with 346 runs at an average of 86.50. Comment

Sports: Over the past 10 years, the cricket authority in Trinidad and Tobago has implemented a stringent plan for its cricketers and their development. The many leagues and different teams compete at a high standard. Comment

People: New York State farmworkers and their supporters urge other people of conscience to join them in Albany on May 21 as they keep the pressure on the legislature to change the state’s labor laws that categorically exclude farmworkers from basic worker rights and protections. Comment

Health: A new study shows that five urban Black American women die daily from breast cancer due to lack of access to proper care and treatment. The study also reveals an urban Black, white racial death disparity for breast cancer. Comment

Movies: A Bag of Hammers (Unrated) Redemption comedy about a couple of con men (Jason Ritter and Jake Sandvig) forced to mature after adopting the orphaned, 12-year-old son (Chandler Canterbury) of a next-door neighbor (Carrie Preston) who has just committed suicide. With Rebecca Hall, Amanda Sefried, Gabriel Macht and Sally Kirkland. Comment

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

People: The United States Coast Guard says that its crews have been “hard at work” disrupting a “rising threat” as drug smugglers use “increasingly sophisticated and evolving methods” to evade authorities in the Caribbean Sea. Comment

Suriname: More than a month after the parliament in Suriname approved an amnesty barring incumbent President Desi Bouterse and other top officials from being jailed for mass murders and other crimes that were allegedly committed during military rule, critics of his administration are not allowing the issue to rest and are doing everything to keep it in the regional and international consciousness. Comment

Music: Plans for producing and staging the 45th Annual Labor Day Carnival Festival & Parade is definitely in the firm hands of the new team at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA). Comment

People: The partisan squabbling over the killing of Osama bin Laden is a typical election-year distraction, effectively squelching discussion of more important matters one year after the execution of the al-Qaeda chief executive. Comment

Friday, May 4, 2012

Brooklyn: Assemblywoman Rhoda Jacobs (D-Flatbush) joined Assemblymembers Michelle Schimel, Karim Camara, Brian Kavanagh, community activists and others on Tuesday, April 25 to take a stand against gun violence in New York City. Comment

Trinidad and Tobago: The Antigua and Barbuda Trade Union Congress (ABTUC) is calling on the Baldwin Spencer administration to delay the implementation of the personal income tax after the Inland Revenue Department said it had began administering the Personnel Income Tax Act in full, including the provision to withhold taxes from qualifying benefits and allowances. Comment

Lunch hour at the Queens College cafeteria has changed. It is still a meeting place for students to relax, socialize, and eat lunch with friends. But instead of hanging out with friends of the same ethnic or religious backgrounds, some students are having lunch with others whose perspectives, values and philosophies may be contrary to their own. Comment

St Vincent: Though they did not win a gold, silver or bronze medal, athletes from the history-making Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS) in St. Vincent and the Grenadines continue to thrill nationals at home and abroad by their remarkable participation for the second successive year in the prestigious Penn Relays Carnival in Philadelphia, PA. Comment

Grenada: Grenada’s opposition New National Party led by Keith Mitchell, the former prime minister -- now leader of the opposition, is taking advantage of internal discord within the ruling party to call for a vote of no-confidence. Comment

Guyana: Less than a week after the two parliamentary opposition parties embarrassed the governing People’s Progressive Party (PPP) by slashing the budget of some of its pet propaganda and corruption arms to a dollar each, authorities have decided to take the issue to their supporters just in case it needs to call fresh elections sometime this year or next year. Comment

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

St Vincent: In an effort to provide EC notes which are easier for blind and visually impaired people to use, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has issued a series of notes with braille features. Comment

Caribbean: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says while the economic challenges facing Latin America (LatAM) and the Caribbean differ across countries, they should rebuild policy space and be watchful for downside risks. Comment

Workers, community supporters and elected officials including Council Member Brad Lander have called for paid sick days at Kensington’s Golden Farm grocery store and at businesses across the city. Comments (1)

Music: John Forte has reinvented himself. In his newest album - “From Brooklyn to Russia With Love,” the Grammy nominated musician and former Fugees producer, bears his soul in titles - “I’ll Give you Me,” “Upon Close Examination” and “Let Life Begin.” Comment

Food: Over the years, Cinco de Mayo has become a great way to celebrate the fantastic flavors of Mexico. This year, why not host your own Cinco celebration? With easy recipes and fun tips like these from Ortega and Sandra Lee, you can say sÌ with style. Comment

Trinidad and Tobago: Coming off a 35:17.8 time for a five-mile challenge race conducted by the Alley Pond Striders, Collin Lynch will take a short journey to East Meadow, Long Island this weekend. Comment

Bronx: The basketball team at Monroe College performed very well during its past basketball season in a junior college league. The men’s team with branches in The Bronx and in New Rochelle posted a 33-4 record, one of the best records of any hoop squad in the metropolitan area. Comment

New York: There was much irony in the New York Red Bulls 1-0 win over the New England Revolution last Saturday afternoon at Red Bull Arena. As Red Bulls coach Hans Backe said in his postgame comments, his team accomplished probably its best result so far this season with what was his weakest lineup. Comment

Music: On March 3, 2012 Grammy Award-winning flutist Dave Valentin was hospitalized after suffering a stroke during a performance at the Jazz Kitchen in Indianapolis. After hospitalization for 10 days following his return to New York City home, Valentin has made remarkable strides on the road to eventual recovering, but is still unable to perform publicly. Comment

Monday, April 30, 2012

Music: Teddy Bear Clinic
Area children are invited to bring their injured and sick teddy bears and other stuffed animals to our Teddy Bear Clinic to learn not to fear the Emergency Room experience and to decrease stress of visiting the ER. The toys will undergo mock triage, medical exams and x-rays by doctors, nurses and other clinical staff, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Montefiore Medical Center, North Hospital, Emergency Department, 600 East 233 St., between Bronx River Pkwy. and White Plains Rd., Bronx. For information, call (718) 920-9000. Comment

Arts & Theater: Festival Terre de Blues returns to the tranquil Caribbean island Marie-Galante, May 25 - 28. Blues in the music, skies and sea make the island, just off the coast of Guadeloupe a destination for both music lovers and travelers who enjoy getting off the beaten track. Comment

Caribbean: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF), a member of the IDB Group, say they will provide up to $55 million to help financial intermediaries in Latin America and the Caribbean implement lending models that support growth in women’s businesses. Comments (1)

Arts & Theater: The Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College will present a double bill of two Bruce Saylor operas: “My Kinsman Major Molineux” (in its New York premiere), and “The Image Maker” based on the verse play by James Merrill in its world premiere. Performances are on May 4 through 6 at the Goldstein Theatre at Queens College. Comment

Movies: Carley (Brittany Snow) is a sheltered college senior who’s torn between roaming around exploring the country after getting her degree and going on to law school primarily to please her parents. She’s caught up in an animated conversation about the future with her best friend, Lena (Christian Serratos), who is, in turn, concerned about her boyfriend and about making a smooth transition from campus to the real world. Comment

Health: A landmark study has revealed there are at least 10 different types of breast cancer, not four as previously thought – a finding that is expected to have far-reaching implications for treatment of the disease. Comment

Movies: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13 for profanity and sexuality) Geriatric set comedy about British retirees who move to India to spend their Golden Years in luxurious accommodations only to discover that the place fails to measure up to its billing. A-list cast includes Oscar-winning Dames Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, two-time nominee Tom Wilkinson, along with Bill Nighy and Dev Patel. Comment

Health: Most people have heard of kidney stones and the various methods of dealing with this sometimes very painful problem but are surprised to hear that stones can also be present in the urinary bladder. Comment

Health: Not all Americans have equal access to health care—or similar health care outcomes. Low-income Americans, racial and ethnic minorities, and other underserved populations often have higher rates of disease, fewer treatment options, and reduced access to care. They are also less likely to have health insurance than the population as a whole. By improving access to quality health care for all Americans, the Affordable Care Act will help reduce these health disparities by making improvements in. Comment

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Arts & Theater: The 2012 Flatbush Artists’ Studio Tour will take place on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 from noon to 6:00 p.m. in Ditmas Park, one of New York City’s most architecturally interesting and historic neighborhoods. Comment

Jamaica: Jamaica’s first female Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller made her first visit to New York since her landslide, historic election four months ago and addressed nationals on a myriad of issues. Comment

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Inter-regional travel could come to a halt if industrial action hits LIAT. The Antigua-based LIAT and the Antigua and Barbuda’s Workers Union (ABWU) are up in arms following its recent announcement that it was terminating employment of 25 airline workers. Comment

Manhattan: A survey from the Pew Forum on Religion in February 2010 showed that a vast majority of Americans, nearly 80 percent, believe in miracles. Such is the driving force behind the sudden popularity of “Braco”, a European figurehead for over 16 years that is becoming an overnight sensation in the U.S. where sellout crowds are gathering to experience his “silent, healing gaze” -- something that thousands claim has miraculously changed their lives for the better; either physically, emotionally or mentally. Comment

Jamaica: Every time a New Yorker bites into an apple grown in New York State – one of the top three apple growers in the United States – little do they know that the apple they are enjoying was likely picked by a worker from Jamaica or Haiti who is in this country on the Guest Worker Program. Comment

Guyana: Local security authorities in Guyana are to construct floating police stations in Amazonian jungle rivers to help curb a spate of murders, armed robberies and other acts of violence in the nation’s interior where surging world prices for gold have attracted millions in investments and thousands of new miners to bush communities hoping to earn get-rich-quick dollars or die trying. Comment

Sports: West Indies’ batsmen are not performing at their top levels in the test series against Australia, and Head Coach Ottis Gibson needs to push harder for them to implement strategies to get better scores. West Indies’ bowlers, on the other hand, have been doing a fine job, but the batting is disappointing. Comment

Bronx: “The Bronx Push 4 Peace” festival, the first of its kind, will take place on Saturday, April 28, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Hostos Arts Center at Hostos Community College, 500 Grand Concourse, Bronx, N.Y. Comment

Sports: The New York Red Bulls (3-3-1), still suffering from poor defensive play, were clobbered to the tune of 4-1 at DC United on Sunday night. When Thierry Henry lost the ball at midfielder, no one stepped up quickly enough to stop Chris Pontius 30-yard shot in the eighth minute to put DC United ahead, 1-0. New player Victory Palsson was goal-side of the play and just watched, instead of reacting to the loss of possession. Comment

Sports: West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo was named the “West Indies Man’s Cricketer of the Year,” at the ninth annual West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) Awards last week at the Port of Spain, Trinidad Hyatt Regency Hotel. Comment

Sports: World record-holder David Rudisha, the IAAF Male Athlete of the Year in both 2010 and 2011, will make history at the Adidas Grand Prix on June 9 when he competes in the United States for the first time, organizers announced Wednesday. Comment

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Caribbean: The Group of Twenty (G-20) advanced and emerging market economies, along with the broader International Monetary Fund (IMF) membership, agreed on Apr. 20 to boost the IMF’s lending capacity by more than US$430 billion to the Caribbean and other developing countries. Comment

Antigua: Regional health leaders and government officials were expected to gather in Antigua Thursday, April 26, for the official ground-breaking ceremony for the Eastern Caribbean’s first cancer center. Comments (1)

Staten Island: The New York State Assembly last week introduced a package of bills inended to further expand tenant protections that would ensure everyone has access to decent and affordable housing. Comment

St Lucia: The Saint Lucia House Foundation, Brooklyn, the umbrella group of Saint Lucian organizations based in New York City, Connecticut and New Jersey, has thanked Saint Lucia’s outgoing UN Ambassador Dr. Keith St. Aimee for his remarkable stewardship and unflinching support of the organization. Comment

Haiti: Children of the past generation of Haitian immigrants are firmly planted in American culture with ties and culture also rooted in Haiti. These first-generation Americans are young adults up through their 40s or more. Comment

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Haiti: The gallery in Tribeca was packed to hear Jany Tomba speak at Haiti Cultural Exchange’s monthly salon, Ann Pale (Let’s Speak). Jany Tomba was an early generation top model. And she is Black. Comment

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Music: Members of the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA) say are pleased to announce the election of its new board of directors and officers who were duly “nominated, voted in and installed” on Wednesday April 11, 2012 Comment

Music: Drawing on the Hispanic and Mayan influences in her country, 18-year-old Belizean fashion designer Rebecca Stirm emerged the winner in a culture-inspired challenge in the second episode of Caribbean fashion designer reality series Mission Catwalk, filmed in Kingston, Jamaica on April 10. Comment

St Vincent: West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard jumped 17 places to a career best 33rd in the latest ICC One-Day International Batting Rankings following his Man-of-the-Series earning performance in the recent five-match series against Australia. Comment

Music: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts will be experiencing the ultimate dance party on Saturday, April 21 at 8:00 p.m., when singer Gloria Gaynor performs at the venue before a full orchestra. She will also be sharing the stage with the Hitmen and Colonel Abrams. Comment

Sports: NEW YORK (AP) — LaTroy Hawkins has heard the stories from his 87-year-old grandfather, about his days of picking cotton in Mississippi, about the times when there were no black players in big league baseball. Comment

Monday, April 16, 2012

St Vincent: A large number of Vincentians in the United States on March 26 paid their last respects to Stella Dennie, the wife of former St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Education Minister Alphonso Dennie, who died on March 18 after a prolonged illness. She was 82. Comment

Sunday, April 15, 2012

People: A Feb. 17, 2012 landmark report by the Fund for Public Advocacy and ACCION USA released a landmark report on how immigrant-owned businesses are making ends meet in New York City, and the ways City government can help them grow and add jobs. The survey of 625 immigrant-owned firms across the five boroughs found a staggering 92 percent of owners started and sustain their businesses without outside help with financing, counseling, marketing or applying for licenses and permits. Comment

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Music: In Numerology, the number nine represents attainment, satisfaction and accomplishment. All words easily attributed to Rome Neal, as he celebrated the ninth anniversary of his popular Banana Puddin’ Jazz series on April 7, 2012. Comment

Staten Island: City Parks Foundation welcomes all New Yorkers, 60 and over, to participate in CityParks Seniors Fitness. The Spring 2012 season of Seniors Fitness programs will begin the week of April 30, 2012, and will offer free tennis lessons, yoga instruction and fitness walking in 14 parks across the city. Comment

Friday, April 13, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Travel and tourism stakeholders from the wider Caribbean diaspora recently attended a meeting in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) to discuss the critical importance of regional tourism. Comment

Viewpoints: Talk about being between a rock (the pay gap) and hard place (the cost of more education), the average American woman can not catch a break. And in today’s tough economy that has more and more families in trouble, this situation is putting women and their families in an even more precarious position. Comment

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Health: The head of the United Nation’s Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) says the forthcoming conference on sustainable development is an opportunity to redefine the vision of future development for the region. Comment

Sports: During the Regional Four-Day competition in the Caribbean it has been shown that the batsmen in the region have difficulties in achieving a high scoring rate. The competition has shown that the batting falls apart easily and the past high esteem of West Indies batsmen is not being maintained. Comment

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Queens: A series of stimulating and free events in recognition of Immigrant Heritage Week, April 17-24, is being hosted, for the first tme by the newly formed Queens College (QC) Immigration Studies Working Group, in a joint effort with the Center for Ethnic, Racial and Religious Understanding and other QC sponsors. Comment

Suriname: It’s been barely a week now since Suriname’s opposition-dominated parliament approved a controversial motion to grant amnesty to former soldiers and their civilian counterparts for a series of fatal missteps during military rule in the 1980s that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people in the Caribbean trade bloc nation. Comment

People: The Coalition of Latin American Consuls in New York (CLANY) and Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer celebrated Latinas in New York City at an awards ceremony and discussion on empowerment and gender equality, recently. Comment

Sports: Winthrop Jacobs is thinking about competing in back-to-back road races next week. First, the race on Long Beach Boardwalk and then on the following day or Sunday, April 22 the race in Alley Pond Park in Queens Village. At the same time, the two races could be a little too much for him. Comment

Manhattan: Thirteen-year-old Christy, who was diagnosed with a cardiac condition at age 12 and is currently listed for a heart transplant, was treated like a queen at Mount Sinai Hospital, 1184 Fifth Avenue and 99th Street in Manhattan, thanks to the nonprofit Project Sunshine’s “Star for a Day” program on April 2. Comment

Jamaica: KINGSTON, March 26 - Like its Caribbean neighbors, Jamaica is looking for outcomes that will address its food security challenges when world leaders meet in Rio de Janeiro for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development June 20 to 22. Comment

Viewpoints: With state and national Republicans emphasizing religious wedge issues, such as health coverage for contraception and separation of church and state, the media have frequently reported on the demographic most aroused by these issues - evangelical voters. But have the media accurately portrayed these evangelical Christians? Comment

Movies: Bad Ass (R for violence, torture, sexuality, nudity and pervasive profanity) Vigilante drama about a Vietnam vet (Danny Trejo) who decides to take the law into his own hands after the cops show no interest in solving the murder of his best friend (Harrison Page). With Charles S. Dutton, Ron Perlman, Joyful Drake and Winter Ave Zoli. Comment

Caribbean: West Indies hard-hitting opening batsman Chris Gayle has signed a CARICOM-brokered agreement with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), but with a ‘side-letter’ whose contents are yet to be disclosed. Comment

Movies: Everybody knows that the story of “Snow White” is about an expiring damsel-in distress who’s ultimately revived by a handsome Prince’s kiss on the lips. But the world has changed considerably since the Grimm Brothers first published the fairytale in 1812, so why not tweak it a tad to reflect 21st Century sensibilities? Comment

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Music: On April 19, Council Member Darlene Mealy - 41st Council District, Brooklyn, in collaboration with Circuit Productions Inc./Susan Goldbetter, producer - will present “Brownsville to Broadway.” Comment

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Arts & Theater: Ailey II, the youthful and gifted second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will return to its home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, from April 18-29 for a highly anticipated two-week season – the last led by 38-year Artistic Director Sylvia Waters. Comment

Friday, April 6, 2012

Trinidad and Tobago: Bahamas
The United States Embassy in the Bahamas is warning Americans living in and traveling to New Providence, to be aware of recent reports of robberies tied to staged vehicle accidents in the capital. Comment

New York: Domestic violence in the Caribbean and America will be fought vigorously by the Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) - new Florida-based advocacy group that will team up with Operation Dreamcatcher NYU chapter, for an empowerment session on April 9. Comment

Music: Jamaicans are jubilant that the island is celebrating 50 years of independence from Britain. However, Kingstonians should be particularly elated that the capital city is also marking a milestone anniversary and 140 years since obtaining the status. Comment

Viewpoints: On March 6, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights released data from a national survey of more than 72,000 schools, covering a range of issues that included school discipline. The data revealed startling racial disparities in suspensions, expulsions and arrests in districts and states. Comment

Viewpoints: Apple has gone on a very public tax strike. Months after reporting the second highest quarterly profits in U.S. history, America’s favorite company is refusing to bring home more than $60 billion of offshore funds in protest of the taxes it would have to pay. Comment

Health: When a patient approaches the conclusion that Microwave Thermotherapy is the best choice to relieve his symptoms, very often, one of the first questions he asks is “How many treatments will I need and how often will I need them?” He is usually happy to hear that this treatment is never done more than once a year. Comment

Health: Most parents know that one of the most important steps they can take to protect their children is to vaccinate them against dangerous diseases. But knowing what to vaccinate against and when to do so can be a complicated process. Comment

St Vincent: A leading human rights group in the United States has urged the Canadian Parliament on vote no on a bill that would require mandatory detention for some migrants, including Vincentian and other Caribbean immigrants. Comment

Trinidad and Tobago: BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, Mar. 30, 2012 (IPS/GIN) - When Europe signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the Caribbean Forum countries in 2008, the intention was to boost trade and services between the two regions. Comment

St Vincent: The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) diplomatic corps at the United Nations has described as “uncivilized” last week’s arrest of St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador to the U.N., Camillo Gonsalves, by the New York Police Department (NYPD). Comment

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Food: Winning medals at ACF (American Culinary Federation) competitions for the Monroe College culinary teams is almost like picking up chocolates and popping them into your mouth. After 10 more were earned at the New York State Championships held at SUNY Delhi on March 17, the Monroe total for the academic year (which is not over yet!) is nearing 100. Comment

Arts & Theater: “Evolutions 2” will feature the art of 86-year-old artist Sal Romano. The solo show at gallery 307 will showcase black and white and color pen and ink drawings inspired by some of Romano’s larger sculptures, in addition to some of his recent smaller sculptures using copper and brass. Comment

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Music: A celebration of the sights, sounds, color and culture of the Caribbean will be on display in New York June 3-9 as the Caribbean Tourism Organization stages yet another annual showcase aimed at promoting tourism to the region. Comment